Means for washing lithographic printing surfaces



March 16 1926.

B. J. J. GOULDlNG MEANS FOR WASHING LITHOGRAPHIC PRINTING SURFACES Filed July 11. 924.

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Mai'ch l6 1926.

B. J.' J. GOULDING MEANS FOR WASHING LITHOGRAPHIC PRINTING SURFACES Filed July 11' 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 16 1926. v 1,576,599

8. J. J. GOULDING MEANS FOR wAsHiNG LITHOGRAPHIG PRINTING SURFACES F; led July ll, 1924 s Sheets-Sheet s,

Patented Mar. 16, 1926.

UNITED STATES: ATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN JOSEPH "JOHN GOULIDING, or ALTRINCHA-M. ENGIJAND, AssIo'NoR 'ro LINO- TYPE AND MACHINERY LIMITED, or LONDON, ENGLAN A BRITISH COMPANY.

MEANS non WASHING LITHQGRAPHIC rm'N'rI o SURFACES.

Application filed July 11, 1924; Seria1'iTO. 72,5 ,3'24.

To all Whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, BENJAMIN JOSEPH JOHN GOULDING, a British subject, and resident of Linotype and l\[achinery lVorks, Altrincham. in the county of Chester, England, have invented new and useful Improvements in or Relating to Means for Washing Lithographic Printing Surfaces, of which the following is a specification. I

This invention relates to means for wash ing lithographic printing surfaces. It is particularly applicable for use in connection with litho rotary presses and has for its object to facilitate the employment in such presses of power operated washing rollers, discs or pads.

Various forms of such rollers, discs or pads constitute the subject matter of separate co-pen'diug application for Letters Patient Serial No. 717488, tiled June 3rd 1924p and it is to be understood that in carrying out the present invention, any of the said forms which are applicable to any particular case, may he ei'nployed, consequently the term washing roller" as hereinafter used, is to be deemed to include, where the context admits, any such power operated washing devices, and exceptiwhere otherwise stated,

the mechanism for operating said devicesmay be the same as that described in the said application for Letters Patent.

'In a lithographic printing press construct-- ed according to the present invention, a pin rality of plate cylinders are employed, each provided with plate washing mechanism comprising a troughfor containing the cleaning fluid and a washing roller to which the fluid is transferred from the trough, and means are provided whereby the respective plate washing mechanisms may be brought into and out of opt ution either individually, or a plurality thereof collectively.

The invention further includes the association, of the means for controlling the washing mechanisms with means for controlling other organs of the prcss,so that the washing mechanism and any such other organs as it maybe necessary or convenient to operate or .render inoperative during the washingprocess, may be, if desired, subject to a common control.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention as applied. to a rotary offset printing press having-two plate cylinders. Figure 1 being a side e ovation showing the.

pertinent parts of one constructional form of the invention;

I igure 2 aside elevation partly broken away showing another constructional form;

Figure 3 a diagrammatic side elevation of a machine embodying the arrangement shown. in Figure 2;' r 1 Figure 4; a side elevation exemplifying the connection of the washing mechanism control with that of other organs of the press, and v v Figures 5 and 6 are detail views showing aspringplunger used for alternatively connecting certain of the mechanisms.

7 Likereference numerals appearing in the different figures, indicate that the parts identified by them are similar to or correspond with each other.

Referring first ,to Figure 1, the press therein illustrated comprises two plate cylinders 1, 2, and two transfer cylinders 3 4, the plate cylinders'heing each provided with plate washing mechanism. According to the constructionalform sl1own,' each such mechanism consists-of a trough?) for containing thecleaning fluid. a trough'roller or drum 6. suitably geared (by means not shown in the drawings) to'the driving mechanism-"of'thepress and mounted with its axis parallel to that ofthe respective plate cylinder, and two washing rollers 7, 8, also mounted with their axes parallel to that of the plate cylinder, in bearings carried respectively by arms 9, 10, at each side of the machine adapted to be independently rocked about the axis of the trough roller 6 so as to move the rollers into and out of. contact'with the associated 'platecylin'der l or 2. r The arms 9, 10, at each side are connected by links 11, 12, respectively, to diametrically opposed arms 13, 14-, keyed to a shaft/15 extending across the machine and mounted in the machine frame 16 at its respe ctivelyopposite ends. On one end of the shaft 15 is rigidly secured a. hand-lever l'7by which it may be rocked, while an arm 18- also fast to thesame end. of the shaft 15 enables the Washing mecha nism 'to be locked in the on position, said arm, for thisvpurpose', -being provided with a hole adapted to' register with a hole 19 in thomachine frame,-"for receiving, when so registered, a lockingpin 20 which then engages bothoffthesaid holes. If desired,-' mechanism for varying-the ressure of the rollers'i, 8, 011 the plate 0 inder and for axially reciprocating those rollers, such as that described in the before mentioned copending application, may be included in the present arrangement. i

According to thepresent invention, each of the arms 13; at one side of the machine is extended and has pivoted to it the upper end of a link 21, the other end oi" which is pivotally connected to an arm 22 fast to the boss of a sector 23 loosely mounted on a shaft 24. On this same shaft 24 there is also loosely mounted a hand-lever 25 provided with a spring plunger 26 and with an aI"m --27, the former of which is adapted to engage a recess in the sector 23 so as to lock said sector to the hand-lever 25. ,The arms 27 of both mechanisms are connected together by a link 28. A convenient arrangement of the spring plunger 26 is shown in Figures 5 and 6, Whereinthe plunger is provided with a shoulder 83 upon which heart, as represented in dotted lines, one end of a helical spring 84 whose other end engtiges with the adjacent end of acylinder 85 fast to the aforesaid hand lever 25. The plunger is provided with a radially extending pin 86 adapted to engage a recess 87 in the end of the cylinder 85, as shown in Figure 5, and also, after the plunger has been disengaged from the sector 28 by a slight turn of the plunger, to bear against the outer end of the cylinder 85 to hold the plunger its disen-.

gaged position. A slight turn of the plunger in the reverse direction brings the pin 86 into register with the recess 87 and allows the spring 84 to force the plunger into engagement witlrthe sector 23, as shown in Figure 5. When it is desired to operate both of the washing mechanisms conjointly, each of the spring plungers 26 is engaged with the respective sector 23 so that the motion of the respective hand-lever 17 is transmitted through the associated arm 13, link 21 and sector 23 to the respective handlever 25 and thence through the link 28 to the washing mechanism appropriate to the other cylinder. When, however, it is desired to operate either of the washing mechanisms independently of the other, this can be ett'ected by disconnecting either of the spring plungers 26 from the respective sector 23. i 1

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the present invention as applied to non-rotatable pads 29 movable parallel with, and circumferentially over the surface of the plates. Such pads may be of the general construction described in the above-mentioned co-pending application, i. e. (see particularly Figure 2) they may be carried in blocks 30 secured to a bar 31, of rectangular section, extending parallelly with the axis of the plate cylinder, and supported at its ends with a ca acity for longitudinal movement, in a pair f arms 32 pivotallyattached to arms' 33 which are themselvcs pivoted so as to be capable of swinging about the axis of the cylinder shaft 34. Longitudinal movement is imparted to the bar 31 by a groove cam 35 fast to the shaft 34, engaging a lever 30 pivoted to a bracket on one of the arms 323, and the circumterentinl movement of the bar 31 is obtained from eccentrics 331' last on a transverse shaft 38 and transmitted through ccccntric rods '3!) pivoted to the arms 33, said shaft being rotatably mounted in hearings in the frame 16 and rotahed through suitable rearing by the driving mechanism ol' the machine.

It is not herein dccmcd ncccssary 1o illustrate the. mechanisn'i at both ends of the plate cylindcr the duplication of the parts at the end thereof opposite to that shown in Figure 2, willbc well understood from the more detailed description and illustration given in the specification oi the application for Letters latcnt previously referred to, and moreover they constitute no part 0 l the present invention. For the purpose of a1- taining the results aimcd at by the present invention, however, the conslriu-tion in question is modified as herein next dcscribcd.

The arms 32 carrying the bar 31 are fast to a shaft 40 journalled in the arms 33, which shaft has fast on it at one end an arm 41 which is acted upon by a compression spring 42 encircling an axially movable rod 43 pivoted to the said arm and entering a recess 44 in a sleeve 45 on the respective arm 33, and against which sleeve the compression spring. bears so that it tends to turn the shaft 40 al'iti-clockwise as viewed in Figure 2, and thus to maintain thc pads 29 in contact with the plate cylinder 1. A short shaft 46 is mounted in the trume 16 at the respective end of the cylinder 1. and has keyed to it at the outer side of that frame, a hand lever 47, and carries an the inncr side of saidl'rame an arm 48 having an urcual track against which bears a roller 4.) pivoted on an extension 50 oi the arm 32, said roller being maintained in contact with the urcual track through the action of the spring 42. The shaft 46 has also secured to i t at the outer side oi the frame 16 an arm 51, the free end of which carries a pin 52 engaging a slot 53 in a link 54 for a purpose hereinafter described.

In the position of the parts shown in Figure 2 the pads 29 are in contact with the plate cylinder 2 and during the circumferential movement inmarted to them by the eccentrics 37, the roller 4t) will track on the arcual surface of the arm 48, which surface is then concentric with the axis of shaft 34. lVhen however, it is desired to move the pads 29 out of contact with the plate cylinder, the handlevcr 47 is depressed and the said parts may then be retained in the respective positions thus assumed, by pass- Levera e ing a pin through a hole 55 in the lever 47 and into a recess 56 in the machineirame the said hole and recess being, at that juncture in co-axial register. The arm i8 is thus depressed and through it, the arm 32 against the action of the spring 12, so that 'the pads 29 are held away from the plate cylinder in their 01f position, although the swinging movement o'l the arms 33 may be continued, because the roller 49 will remain .in contact with the arm 48.

tion as above described, the pin 52 moves'in' ,the slot 53 of the link 54 appertaining to the respective washing mechanism. .endof each link 54 is pivotedto one arm of a bell crank lever 57, whose other arm is ivoted to a horizontal rod or link 58 which n turn, is connected through a bell crank lever 59 and link 60, to an operating hand lever 61. pivoted to the machine frame in a position conveniently near the folding mechanism 62.

In Figure 3 the washing mechanisms are shown in operative position, and it will be readily "understood that the depression of the hand lever 61 will, through the connections just described, result in the raising of the arms 51 and the consequent movement of the pads 29 to their respective inoperative positions in which latter they may be retained by a detent pin applied to the hand lever 61 in a manner similar to that hereinbefore described in connection with the hand levers 47-01? the individijial washing mechanisms.

' It is advisable that the irowin -in of the washing mechanisms either individually or collectively, should be accompanied by a signal to enable pressmen other than the one effecting such-operation, to exercise efficient control of the operations of which they-are in charge, and the invention therefore includes an annunciator for this purpose, which annunciator in thelexamples shown, is operated electrically by press button contacts 63 locatedon the machine frame in convenient positions to be engaged by any of. the hand levers 47, 61 of the last--' described constructional form, or either-oi the hand levers 17 of the arrangement 'lllLlS trated in Figure 1. When these levers are i moved to'their on positions they effect the closing of a circuit which operates, for example, an audible or a visible indicator to advisethe pressmen that the washing necliamsms are .Il operation.

, In the constructional form of the inven The upper plate cylinder, which trough is of sufiicient size to permit the pads 29 to be immersed in the fluid in said trough.

A further feature of the invention, which consists in associating the control of the washing mechanisms with that of other organs oi the press, is exemplified in Figure 4, wherein the control lever 17 of a washing i'nechanism, such as that shown in Figure 1, is represented as adapted to operate that washing mechanism either independently, or conjointly with a damping mechanism such as that identified as a whole in Figure 4 by the reference numeral ($6 and an inking mechanism similarlyidentified bythe reference 67. In this arrangement the arms 13, 14, of the washing mechanism control, are provided with studs 68, 69 the former engaging a slotted link 70 pivoted to an arm 71 of the damping roller control mechanism, the

latter engaging a slotted link .72 pivoted to the hand-lever 75? of the inking roller control mechanism. In the positions in which the parts are shown in Figure 4, the inking and dampii contact. with the plate cylinder 1 and the washing rollers 7, 8, are in their inoperative positions. When, howevcigthe latter are put? into operation, the studs 68, 69, engage with the respective ends of the slots of the links 7 O, 72, and transmit the movement of the arms 13, 14 respectively to the arm 71 and letter 73, thereby moving" the damping and inking mechanisms to their inoperative positions; this will be readily apparent when it is understood that thc'damping rollers 74, 75, are operated by the arms 71, 76, through the links 77', 78, in the same mannor as the washing: rollers 7, 8, are operated through the links ,11, 12', and the inking rollers are moved into and out ofcontact with the plate cylinder 1 through the link 79, lever 80 and pivoted plates 81 which carry the bearings of these last named rollers. When, therefore, the hand lever 17 is operated to bring the vasni' p; rollers 7, 8, out of contact with the plate cylinder 1. the movement of the studs (38, 69. ith n the slots of the links 70, 72, prevents the brinu ing into operation of the damping mechanism 66 and inking mechanism 67 which can subsequently be brought into operation independently as required by the hand levers 82, and 73 respectively.

In order to provide for a contingency in which a limited washing might require to be efiected without disconnecting the inking and damping" mechanisms, the studs 68, 69, may be made withdrawable so as; to render all three mechanisms independently oper; able. y

It is to be understood that, wherever the construction admits otit and such a change icchanisn'is are in operative.

fit

scribed hand-operated levers may be sub stitutcd by toot-operated devices, and for that reason the "following claims are to be read as including all ot such devices.

Having described my invention, I declare that what 'claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

1. In a lithographing printing press, the combination ,with a plurality oi plate cylinders of plate washing mechanism appropriate to each plate cylinder comprising a fluid. trough and a plate washing device adapted to receive tluid From the trough and means operative to bring the washing devices into and out of operation either in dividually or a plurality oi thereot' collec tively.

Q. In a lithographic printing press, the

"combination with a plurality of plate cylinders of plate washing mechanism appropriatie to each plate cylinder comprising a fluid trough and a plate washing device adapted to receive Fluid from the trough, means operative to bring the washing devices into and out of operation either individually or a plurality thereof collectively and an annunciator adapted to give a signal when said means are i'i'perated to bring the washing devices into operation.

3. in a lithographic printing press, the combination with a plurality ot plate cylinders of plate washing mechanism appropriate to each plate cylinder comprising a fluid trough and a plate washing device adapted to receive fluid from the trough, inking rollers and tripping mechanism thereto appropriate to each plate cylinder, means operative to bring the washing dc vices into and out of operation either individually or a plurality thercot collectively and means adapted to operate said tripping mechanisms simultaneously with tie bringing into operation oi the washing devices.

4. In a lithographic printing press, the combination with a plurality. of plate cylinders ol plate washing mechanism appropriate to each plate cylinder comprising a lluid trough and a plate washing device adapted to receive fluid from the. trough, inking rollers and tripping mechanisn'i thereto appropriate to each plate cylinder, means operative to bring the washing devices into and out ol operation either in dividually or a plurality thereof collectively, means adapted to operate said tripping mechanisitis sinulltzmeously with the bringing into operation of the washing devices and anaununciator adapted to give a signal when the tirst-nametgl means are operated to bring the washing devices into operation.

5. In a lithographic printing press, the combination with a plurality of plate cylinders of plate washing mechanism appropriate to each plate cylinder com rising a the to bring the fluid trough and a plate Washing device adapted to receive fluid from the trough, inking rollers and tripping mechanism therefor appropriate to each plate cylinder, means 0perative to bring the washing devicesinto and out of operation either individually or a plurality thereo't' collect ively and means adapted to operate said tripping mechanisms either simultaneously with or independently of the bringing into operation of the washing devices.

ti. in a lithographic printing press, the combmatiop with a plurality of plate cylinders of plate washing mechanism appropriate to each plate \'llll(lcl comprising a fluid trough and a plate washing device adapted to receive lluul from the trough, inking rollers, damping rollers and tripping mechanisms tor the inking and damping rollers appropriate to each plate cylinder, means operative to bring the washing devices into and out ot' operation either individually or a plurality thereof collectively and means adapted to operate said tripping mecha; nisms simultaneously with the bringing into. operation of the washing devices.

T. in a lithographic printing press, the combination with a plurality of plate cylinders of plate washing mechanism appropriate to each plate cylinder comprising a fluid trough and a plate washing device adapted to receive fluid from the trough, inking rollers, damping rollers and tripping mechanisms for the inking and damping rollers appriun-iate to each plate cylinder, means operative to bring the Washing devices into' and out of operation either individually or a plurality thereof collectively and means adapted to operate said tripping mechanisms either simultaneously with Or uidcpemlently of the bringing into operation ot the washing devices.

in a lithographic printing press, the combination with a plate cylinder of a fluid trough, a plate washing device adapted to receive fluid from the trough, means operawashing device into and out of operation. inking rollers, tripping mechanism tor the inking rollers and means adapted to operate said tripping mechanism simultaneously with the bringing into Operation of the washing device.

9. In a lithographic printing press, the combination with a plate cylinder of a fluid trough, a plate Washing device adapted to receive fluid from the trough, means operative to bring the washing device into and out of operation, inking rollers, tripping mechanism for the inking rollers and means adapted to operate said tripping mechanismeither simultaneously with or independently of the bringing into operation ofthe'washing device. ,1

10. In a lithographic printing press, the combination with a plate cylinder of a fluid trough, a plate washing device adapted to receive fluid from the trough, means operative to bring the washing device into and out of, operation, inking rollers, damping rollers, trlpping mechanisms for the inking and; damping rollers and means adapted to operate said tripping mechanism simultaneou'sly with the bringing into operation of the washing device.

11. In a lithographic printing press, the

combination with a plate cylinder of a fluid trough, a plate washing device adapted to receive fluid from the trough, means operative to bring the washing device into and out of operation, inlgin rollers, tripping mechanlsms for the inking and damping rollers and means adapted to operate said tripping mechanisms either simultaneously with or independently of the bringing intooperation of the washing de- 20 vice.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my I rollers, damping 15 

